HILLSDALE FREE WILL BAPTIST COLLEGE PHIL 1112: Christian Ethics Course Syllabus

Transcription

1 HILLSDALE FREE WILL BAPTIST COLLEGE PHIL 1112: Christian Ethics Course Syllabus INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Denny R. Kuhn Tel. (405) (Home/office) (405) (Cell) COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an introductory study in Christian ethics designed to assist college students in the integration of belief and behavior (theory and practice). The course focuses on the kinds of ethical issues which college students are likely to encounter. REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS: COURSE OBJECTIVES: Rae, Scott B. Moral Choices: An Introduction to Christian Ethics. 2 nd ed. Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI, (ISBN ) Holy Bible (Version of your preference) 1. Learn how to analyze moral decisions and make wise choices. 2. Develop a style of moral decision-making that enables one to respond to the issues of life with moral consistency, ethical accountability, and personal integrity. 3. Cultivate a Christian model for moral decision-making and character development that is biblically and theologically sound, ethically credible, and logically consistent. 4. Further develop critical thinking skills in the search for truth about the good life. 5. Develop an understanding of the Christian faith as the true philosophy for our world and life views. COURSE CONTENT: I. Introduction to Ethics A. Philosophy and ethics B. Importance of worldview thinking C. Defining key terms/concepts/problems II. Survey of Ethical Theories A. Brief introduction to Christian ethics B. Exploration of the major ethical theories C. Critical analysis of these views III. Ethics and God A. Can we be good without God? B. Essential for a proper understanding of ethics IV. Introduction to Christian Ethics A. Foundations for Christian ethics

2 B. The Bible and Christian ethics C. The ethics of the Bible D. Moral decision-making based on biblical principles and rules V. Application to the Hard Cases A. Cases: abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, sexuality (premarital sex, homosexuality, etc.), war, drugs and alcohol, etc. B. A Christian response VI. Conclusion to the Study LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The methods of learning employed during the course include lecture, discussion, small group work, reading assignments and writing, testing, and other activities that seem relevant to the topics as the course develops. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 1. Class participation is required of all students. This involves consistent daily attendance, making verbal contributions to class discussion, and demonstrating mental connection to the topics of discussion. You will receive 100 attendance points and for each class meeting you miss you will lose 5 points. If you miss class because of school-sponsored activities, you will be given an opportunity to make up any attendance points lost. 2. Reading assignments must be completed as assigned. In order to participate in class discussions the student needs to read the assigned reading before class sessions. Quizzes will be given periodically in order to help students be responsible for completion of these reading assignments. 3. Short writing assignments will be given which will enable the student to engage the course material and develop his/her ideas and critical thinking skills. These will consist of critical analyses, response, and/or summary papers. 4. Three section tests will be given throughout the course (including the final exam). Makeup tests will be permitted only if there is a legitimate reason for missing class on test day (sickness, with a doctor s statement, or an official college activity, in which case an activity form was provided prior to the stated activity). The student who needs to makeup a test must request permission to do so and must complete the test within 2 class days of returning to class. 5. Each student will write a research paper (page length required=5-8 pages) on an ethical issue approved by the course instructor. This will be due two weeks prior to the final exam (unless otherwise noted by the instructor). MODELING RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY: 1. The instructor will model respect for God, students, and Hillsdale College by guarding his actions and words both inside and outside the classroom.

3 GRADING: 2. The instructor will show respect and responsibility toward students by fulfilling his duties as instructor with care, punctuality, and integrity. 3. The student will show respect for God, fellow students, instructor, and the College by guarding his or her actions and words both inside and outside the classroom. 4. The student will demonstrate responsibility by fulfilling all course requirements with care, punctuality, and integrity. 5. Each class participant will follow Paul s admonition in 1 Cor. 10:31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Class Participation 100 points A = (93%) Reading Quizzes 100 points B = (88%) Short Writ. Assigns. 100 points C = (77%) Examinations 300 points D = (70%) Research Paper 100 points F = Total 700 points CLASS CANCELLATION: In cases of inclement weather or natural disasters Hillsdale FWB College will follow the decision of the Moore Public Schools for class delays or cancellations. Students should consult local radio and television stations for the announcements. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any student in this course who has a verifiable disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her learning should contact the instructor personally, as soon as possible, to discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate equal educational opportunities. SUPPORT SERVICES: Any student in this course who needs special assistance should engage in study groups, tutoring, or academic intervention. Appointments with the instructor can be arranged for occasional tutoring. The LRC and computer lab provide opportunities for research and in-depth learning beyond that which is available in the textbook. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Primary Bibliography Alcorn, Randy C. Pro-Life Answers to Pro-choice Arguments. Portland, OR: Multnomah Press, (HQ767.5.U5A ) Arthur, John ed. Morality and Moral Controversies. 4 th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice

4 Hall, (BJ1025.M ) Carson, Thomas L. and Paul K. Moser. Eds. Morality and the Good Life. New York, NY: Oxford Univ. Press, (BJ319.M ) Chamberlain, Paul. Can We Be Good Without God? Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, (BJ1031.C ) Davis, John Jefferson. Evangelical Ethics: Issues Facing the Church Today. Second Edition. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Pub., (BJ1251.D ) Geisler, Norman L. Christian Ethics. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, (BJ1251.G4 1989) Hays, Richard B. The Moral Vision of the New Testament. New York, NY: HarperCollins Pub, (BS2545.E8H ) Henry, Carl F. H. ed. Wycliffe Dictionary of Christian Ethics. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub, Holmes, Arthur F. Ethics: Approaching Moral Decisions. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. c (BJ 1012.H65) Holmes, Robert L. Basic Moral Philosophy. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub, (BJ1012.H ) Kreeft, Peter. Back to Virtue. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, (ISBN: ). Making Choices: Practical Wisdom for Everyday Moral Decisions. Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, (BJ1249.K ). The Best Things in Life. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, (BJ1661.K ). The Journey: A Spiritual Roadmap for Modern Pilgrims. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, (BD431.K ). The Unaborted Socrates: A Dramatic Debate on the Issues Surrounding Abortion. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, (HQ767.K ). Three Philosophies of Life. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, (ISBN: ) Honderich, Ted. Ed. The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, (B ) Martin, Mike W. Everyday Morality. 2 nd ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub, 1995.

5 (BJ1031M ) Meilaender, Gilbert. The Taste for the Other: The Social and Ethical Thought of C.S. Lewis. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub, (PR6023.E926Z795) Nash, Ronald H. Life s Ultimate Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, (BR100.N ) Palmer-Fernandez, Gabriel. Moral Issues: Philosophical and Religious Perspectives. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, (BJ1188.M ) Trull, Joe E. Walking in the Way: An Introduction to Christian Ethics. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Pub, (BJ1251. T ) Wilson, Jonathan R. Gospel Virtues: Practicing Faith, Hope & Love in Uncertain Times. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, (BV4635.W ) Recommendations for additional reading Davis, John Jefferson. Abortion and the Christian: What Every Believer Should Know. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed Pub., (HQ767.3.D ) Feinberg, John S. and Paul Feinberg. Ethics for a Brave New World. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, (HM216 F4 1993) Forlines, Leroy. Biblical Ethics. Nashville, TN: Randall House (BJ 1251.F72) Geisler, Norman L. Ethics: Alternatives and Issues. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, (BJ1261.G28) Harrison, R.K., ed. Encyclopedia of Biblical and Christian Ethics. Tennessee: Nelson Publishers. c (BJ 1199.E53) MacIntyre, Alasdair. After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory. 2 nd ed. Notre Dame, IN: Univ. of Notre Dame, (BJ1012.M ). A Short History of Ethics. Notre Dame, IN: Univ. of Notre Dame, (BJ71.M3 1997) Smedes, Lewis B. Mere Morality. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmann Pub. Co., (BJ1261.S63)